History

Grace M. Eaton Childcare Center was founded by two women (Lizzie Kelly and Grace M. Eaton) in 1926. They recognized the need among black, lower income, inner city families for a child care center in Nashville. Ms. Kelly introduced the idea of the day home to the Fireside School (a religious organization). Ms. Eaton, a former teacher at Fireside School, supported the idea and provided most of the financial support. Ms. Eaton purchased the first building for the non-profit home and it was named in her honor. The initial enrollment was ten children, and over the years enrollment has evolved to the caring of over a 100 children daily of all ethnicities. The beginning philosophical framework included the premise that children have a right to affordable quality childcare while their parents work or are engaged in educational training, and we continue this today. We join with parents and the community to prepare children for a healthy successful future. Our mission is “to provide quality expert care and instruction to children age 6-weeks to 12-years-old of working parents, parents in school, or parents in employment training.”